On March 8th, people around the globe united in powerful demonstrations to commemorate International Women’s Day, advocating against patriarchal systems, bridging the gender gap, and combating violence against women. The rallies, which attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, emphasized the urgent need for social change and gender equality.
Demonstrations across major cities
In Madrid, tens of thousands took to the streets, passionately defending women’s rights and promoting an anti-racist, feminist agenda. Organized by the feminist coalition 8M Commission, attendees braved rainy weather, chanting slogans aimed at dismantling gender inequality and racism. While the Spanish government estimated 25,000 participants, organizers claimed the turnout was much higher, nearing 80,000.
Simultaneously, in Rome, the focal point of the demonstration was the fight against gender violence and the persistent gender gap. This event marked the largest rally in Italy, with similar protests occurring in 60 cities nationwide. The rally’s slogan, “Not One Less,” resonated deeply as it underscored the ongoing struggle against femicide and violence based on gender.
Voices raised in Turkey
In Istanbul, the rally also centered on addressing gender violence and the increasing societal pressures faced by women. Participants in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district filled the streets with speeches, music, and dance, celebrating women’s resilience while underscoring the urgent demand for societal reform. However, the atmosphere was tense as a significant police presence, including officers in riot gear and water cannons, closely monitored the demonstration.
The Turkish government’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family” has sparked criticism from protesters, who view it as an attempt to reinforce traditional roles of marriage and motherhood. Additionally, the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention in 2021—an agreement aimed at safeguarding women from domestic violence—has incited outrage among activists. According to the We Will Stop Femicides Platform, 394 women were killed by men in Turkey in 2024 alone.
“There is bullying at work, pressure from husbands and fathers at home and pressure from patriarchal society. We demand that this pressure be reduced even further,”
said Yaz Gulgun, a 52-year-old pensioner, as she advocated for stronger legal protections and a more supportive police response to violence against women. Another demonstrator, Selvi Alkancelik, 58, expressed a powerful desire for female autonomy, stating,
“Let women be free. I want them to go somewhere without asking permission from her husband, to go anywhere without fear when she returns home at night, to go anywhere freely without fear. I want freedom for all women in the world.”
Despite a ban on public demonstrations enacted by the Beyoğlu district governor, many women planned to assemble later in the evening for a Feminist Night March in Taksim Square, determined to challenge the restrictions on their right to protest. Authorities responded by blocking off certain areas of Istanbul and closing metro stations to thwart these gatherings, citing public order concerns. The determination of the protesters underscores a growing movement advocating for women’s rights and social justice worldwide.